Activist Newsletter Student Profile

Adriana Cortes
California State University, Fullerton
Political Science

Groups/Publications/Organizations Involved with: The Nonviolent Youth Leadership Alliance and Students for Peace and Social Justice I am also involved with a local non-profit, Orange County Human Relations (OCHR).

How did you become politicized? What got you to where you are today?
Believing in peace for ALL humanity, a clean and healthy environment and fair economic trade for ALL is hardly radical- by all means it is the only thing which is reasonable! Right?

I get to do activism and organizing work because I have had great role models and mentors. My parents who grew up humbly in Mexico taught me to stand up for what I believe in and to think for myself. I am in college because of my tough AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher who always reminded me to stop causing trouble and start focusing on my grades. I have been blessed to have folks in my life whom have helped and given me so much of their time and resources.

Any activism success stories that stand out to you?
I just got to intern with United States Student Association (USSA) last summer, and along with other great organizers and activists on campus we were able to bring their GrassRoots Organzing Weekend (GROW) training to our campus in the beginning of Spring semester.

At Cal State Fullerton, we had students attending from all across the spectrum of activism and advocacy. From high school students, to community colleges and even graduates, we were building bridges across different groups. We had organizations like the queer and straight alliance, campus greens, third wave feminist organization, and M.E.C.h.A in the same room learning how to win concrete and local victories. Helping to bring the GROW to campus has helped us towards building a strong progressive community on campus.

Having all those different organizations attending the GROW showed how it was important for progressives who are working on issue campaigns to not get short sighted. Having the GROW reminded us that we have to look at all issues and search for commonalities between them because they are definitely there.

How did you hear about Campus Progress? What role does it serve in your activism?
I heard about Campus Progress through my involvement with the New Leaders Program and my internship with United States Student Association in Summer of 07.

Campus Progress is serving as a vital role in the journalism and peace efforts that we are leading in Orange County. After a while of trying to start our own progressive publication on campus, trying to find money has been one of our major obstacles. Finally getting that launched off is going to be pretty crazy. Because the Goddess knows that the conservatives here at CSUF are going to have a cow. Besides all that fun, (because yes sometimes I get a kick out of getting the conservatives mad), our publication will be a home for activist and non/activist students on campus, through art and journalism.

You attended last month’s Iraq Action Camp we put on. Any thoughts from that?
The best part of the camp by far was meeting awesome folks. It’s so inspiring to talk to other students who are working so passionately for peace. Sharing stories is always fun and interesting because I got to see how they shake things up in their community. Connecting with older folks who have experience working in social justice is always important because they have so much knowledge to offer to the youth. Meeting the older activists was a source of strength because it gives me hope that I could be like them one day. Listening to veterans and getting their perspective was important because they experience war first hand and all its tragedies. It made me more confident in my belief that no one deserves to go to war, and that it’s not fair for any government to put anyone through that.

What are your next steps? What’s next for you on campus in terms of activism or personal goals?
My next step is immersing myself in activism through the arts. This summer, I will be part of a feminist environmentalist play by Josefina Lopez called When Nature Calls.

In the fall were going to continue working on our publication, continue doing work with a local high school, and hopefully if there is enough time, work on a environmental campaign on campus. Why do we still use plastic so much if we know that it takes forever to decompose!?

Any words of advice for young progressives?
-Find a mentor or elder who can guide you, support your endeavors and look out for your best interest.
-ALWAYS say THANK YOU and PLEASE
-Know that you DO NOT have to sign up for everything! ☺
-Always follow your instincts, follow your own inner and moral intuition-even if it means that you do not agree with the people in your camp
-There are times for compromise
-LISTEN!
-If you have an ego, for the sake of the group, leave it at the door
-Find time, at least a little bit for yourself and loved ones
-Find time to gather your thoughts and to reflect on your work
-please please please take a break if you need one
-Don’t be afraid to stand up and stand out for a cause/s that you find truth in.
– Do not be afraid to be controversial – always be respectful, but use controversy to your advantage and hey you might as well have fun with it!